The City of Portland has made the decision to ban plastic straws from the Clock Tower Cafe, located within City Hall, and is urging other businesses to follow suit. City Manager Jon Jennings made the decision at the July 18 Sustainability & Transportation Committee meeting following a presentation on single-use plastics from Phoebe MacDonald, a third-grader at Ocean Avenue Elementary School, who encouraged the Council Committee to ban plastic straws or adopt alternatives.
Ms. MacDonald passed out aluminum straws to the Councilors and audience members following a question and answer session with the Committee. Councilors Thibodeau, Batson and Ray then further discussed the idea of banning plastic straws outright in the city of Portland. The Committee decided it wants City staff to poll business owners ahead of holding a public hearing and discussing the issue further at its September meeting.